Ok I was able to go out and take some vids of the motor.
The first one is right after a cold start, everything sounds and looks good.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/C4SPFFDkNJ7GRTdj9
This one is of the leak at its peak before the accessory fan kicks on and dissipates everything.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/NZfdTxc7Utg4kVwP6
This is about 10 min of running. Funny thing is today it ran no problem, I turned it off shortly after this video. But no sputtering or rpms dropping out.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/8zDrya3kpFxDDUQa9
Bottom link should go to an album with all 3 videos.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ny5CVHUrsRTv1ZWH7
While it was running for more than a few minutes I was able to make some better observations than before
--Starting fluid sprayed anywhere near the manifold complex does cause rpms to go up, could not narrow down any further than that. So more new hoses and gaskets are in the cart.
--Idle adjust screw once warm did not make a difference doing one full turn either way, rpms were consistently at about 1000 once warm
--Rpms did fluctuate slightly in a cyclical pattern, maybe a difference of 50rpms between the high and the low. Rpms started at 1200 when cold and worked down to the 950-1000 mark when warm.
--no pinging at all, no leaks, maybe some slight valve chatter but that's an easy one
so my question is what would yall recommend as my next steps as far as testing things and new parts, and am I missing anything obvious? I don't mind shelling out for new gaskets and hoses especially if that makes for an easy fix, but I would like to get this up and running asap as I have some major plans for my 88' 4runner that I need to get going.
I do have a local guy I am going to ask tomorrow and see if he can take a look at it and spot anything I missed or work some magic (he designed, built, and raced an electric car out of his garage up the Pikes Peak Hill Climb)